The talk of the sporting town, Cristiano Ronaldo’s interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, was officially released on Thursday.
After the Portuguese departed Manchester United eleven years ago, he made a fairytale return to the club last year. The record goalscorer came back to Old Trafford in a star-filled summer of signings, making the English giants poised for success once again.
Unfortunately for him and United fans, his tenure has unpalatably derailed over the past few months, with his position at the club deemed untenable.
Although the sporting icon initially produced stellar performances with the English giants, accumulating 24 goals in all competitions in his first season, this campaign has been subpar by his standard, only amassing three goals in all competitions.
Cristiano has also relentlessly been featured in media headlines over the past few months.
Whether it’s not adhering to the manager’s tactics, lack of suitability to a high press system, United performing better without him, missing pre-season, being unable to leave Old Trafford in the summer, refusing to come on as a substitute, walking out on the team on numerous occasions or omitted from United’s squad in big games, Cristiano has been involved in controversy throughout the season.
Hence, here on Main Stand with Agastya Bajaj, we provide the key moments from Cristiano’s unfiltered interview with host Piers Morgan explaining his side of events and why his Man United stint is coming to a bitter climax.
Criticism of United’s woes last season
Cristiano began the uncensored interview by saying how former Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson “was the key” and “difference at that moment” between joining the blue half of Manchester or the revered red side last summer.
“He said to me that, ‘It's impossible for you to come to Manchester City’, And I say, ‘OK, Boss’," said Cristiano.
The Portuguese made his second debut in September, scoring 2 goals to propel the club to victory on his return to Old Trafford.
“That feeling was amazing. But not only the day of the game, I felt the week before everything had changed, the world speak about me ‘Cristiano is back home, ‘Cristiano is back where he belongs’.
“So was a special moment to be back to Manchester United, to perform for our fans and to score two goals was the best welcome I received at Old Trafford. It was the best day and a memorable day too.
“I loved hearing the chants, the fans for me are everything,” said the five-time Ballon D’or winner.
Unfortunately for Cristiano, the euphoria from his return papering the cracks dwindled after a few weeks, with the Portuguese realizing why United have descended to mediocrity.
This paired with a flurry of bad results, was a cause of concern for the Portuguese weeks into his tenure.
“Piers to be honest, when I signed for Manchester United, I thought everything would have changed because it's 13 years.
"I was in Real Madrid nine years and three in Juventus. And when I arrived, I thought everything will be different, you know, the technology, the infrastructures and everything.
“But I was surprised, in a bad way, let's say in that way because I saw everything was the same,” said the player who is baffled at the lack of investment and innovation at the club.
Cristiano added, “No, they stopped on a clock, in my opinion, which is something that surprised me.”
“I thought when I signed that they sign in that year Sancho, Varane, plus me, that things will be in the way that Manchester should be.
“As you mentioned well, Sir Alex Ferguson left a big gap in the club, not only Sir Alex Ferguson, one person that I thought made the difference; David Gill, the president, a very, very good man. And the structure around Sir Alex Ferguson was very important too. I knew that Manchester United wasn't the same. But I don't see that it was so big gap, and it was the thing that surprised me more,” said Cristiano.
The Portuguese further reinforced this, saying, “In United, the progress was zero, in my opinion.”
“To compare with Real Madrid and even Juventus, that they follow the rest of the world, so the technology, especially in terms of training, nutrition and conditions of eat properly and to recover better than before surprised me.
“Manchester right now to compare with that club, I think it's behind in my opinion, which is something that surprised me.
“A club with this dimension should be the top of the tree in my opinion and they are not, unfortunately. They are not in that level. But I hope the next years they can reach to be in a top level.”
Cristiano closed out the preeminent phases of the interview, undermining senior figures' stewardship of the club, saying:
“I don't know what's going on but since Sir Alex Ferguson left I saw no evolution in the club, the progress was zero.”
After several months back at Old Trafford, with United on their worst run of form in the Premier League era, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked as manager.
“I love Solskjaer. I think he was a top person, because what I keep inside my heart, it's the heart of the persons. And Ole for me, is a top person. It's hard. It's hard to assume after Sir Alex Ferguson, but I think he did a good job for sure.
“You need much more time. But I never doubt that you're going to be a good coach in the future. But it was a good experience. I was, I was so pleased to work with him even for a short period,” said Cristiano.
After sacking Ole, United decided to appoint an interim manager.
“After they sack Ole, they bring sporting director Rangnick, which is something nobody understands. This guy is not even a coach, a bigger club like Man United surprise not only me, but the world too,” said Cristiano.
Cristiano went on to agree with Morgan, describing this appointment as a “ridiculous decision,” saying “if you are not even a coach, how are you going to be the coach of Man United” and “nobody knew who Rangnick was.”
Although United fans can resonate with his queries on the lack of development, these comments on Rangnick startled the fanbase.
Rangnick was considered one of the most established directors in the top flight, ascending minute German clubs Hoffenheim and Leipzig to the upper echelon of European football through his acumen and experience.
Furthermore, he is considered the man who mentored Klopp, Tuchel, and Nagelesman, with his revolutionary style of play transcending his league and used across Europe.
Rangnick was also considered one of the few sources of transparency between the fans and the club.
The interim manager and current Austria manager publicly criticized the board for not allocating funds in the transfer market. The manager also criticized the club’s scouting strategy, signing big-name profiles who don’t work together rather following a successful philosophy, with the manager suggesting a rebuild is required.
However, despite this, Cristiano added, “United are two steps behind, because of this kind of mistake, and they should improve. They should change the staff, the people, the directors, the president, I don’t know who is the problem there.”
“And when you see some coaches that are coming (like this one), that they want the revolution (in) football, I don’t agree, I have my opinion.
“They agree or they don't, but it's part of the business because at the end of the day, I'm in a club to win, and with my experience, I want to help. Like always, and some coaches that don't accept you and, you know, it's part of the job,” said the belittled Cristiano.
Cristiano also added he doesn’t believe Rangnick knew what he was doing, “No, they don't. They knew with the club, very well. But they don't know the main dimension of the club inside, the history of the club. Which is, for me, surprised me even more. Which is when you sack Ole Solskjaer, you should bring a top manager, not a sports director.”
The player clearly had his issues with interim boss Rangnick, despite mapping out a long-term squad overhaul that would envisage United sustainably ascending up the pecking order while playing an attractive United style.
Another issue last season was the squad, with United fans outraged at the downing tools and undermining of Rangnick from certain players.
“All leagues in the world, the youngest now, they are not the same as my generation. But we cannot blame them because, it's part of life, you know. The new generation and the new technologies that distract them for another thing. But they are not the same. They listen but this is why we have two ears, as you listen from one side and they go away from another side,” said Cristiano.
The Portuguese added, “It doesn't surprise me. But in the same way it's a shame because if they have the best examples in front
“I’m not the kind of guy who likes to give advice as I prefer to be an example.
“Because I'm an example. I'm there every morning and do the same stuff. I'm probably the first one to arrive and the last one to go out. I think the details speak for itself. This is why I say, I like to lead by example,” said Cristiano, criticizing players for not following his methodology, rather modern-day principles.
He went on to add "In Manchester United I can mention Dalot, he's young, but very professional but I don't doubt that he's going to have longevity in football because he's young, he's smart, intelligent and he's very professional. Probably Martinez, Casemiro is in his 30s, but I will say Dalot."
Not only did Cristiano unfairly criticize interim manager Rangnick, he also criticized the bulk of the squad. The Portuguese only listed a handful of United players as top professionals, implying the rest of the squad doesn’t have the ethic to succeed.
The current season
After Cristiano completed his unfiltered “rant” on who is culpable for United’s demise last season, he began to recount and explain the controversial events that have tainted his reputation this season.
The player began by telling the “truth” on why he missed the club’s pre-season tour, including here in Bangkok.
“I spoke with directors and president of Man United, and then, they kind of didn’t believe something going wrong. Which makes me feel bad.
“And it was something that really hurt me, because they doubted my word that I was struggling, especially Bella and Geo (Cristiano’s newborn daughter who was hospitalized and partner). We had one week in the hospital because Bella had a big problem and I didn't go to the pre-season because of that.
“I didn't want to leave my family to do the pre-season because I didn't think it was fair to leave my family for a pre-season. This is why I didn't go.
“It is something that really hurt me, I struggled and I didn’t go to pre-season because of that.” said Cristiano, debunking the critics' egregious view of “skipping” United’s pre-season tour amid his transfer request.
In his first match back, the club’s final pre-season game at Old Trafford against Rayo, the player left the stadium after the first half.
This caused immense controversy, with his manager and the press criticizing the player for walking out before the completion of the match.
"Me and eight players (left early), but they mentioned only my name. Everyone did that. Last year, many players did the same.
"In that game, eight players do the same but they only speak about the black sheep which is me. I completely understand. Okay, it's done, I apologise to the coach and for me, the chapter was closed," said Cristiano.
In the club’s preeminent matches of the Premier League season, not only did Cristiano struggle when he played, he was omitted from the starting lineup on numerous occasions.
Manager Erik Ten Hag stated this was down to his lack of fitness after missing pre-season, with Cristiano set to play a pivotal role in the club.
"The feeling he always mentioned to me, that I didn't need the pre-season, so I should wait for my opportunity, I really understand that. But I'm not going to give you points, you don't do the same procedure to every player. I’m not going to mention players, but they don't do it the same way,” said Cristiano.
United had an unorthodox start to the campaign, suffering back-to-back losses against Brighton and Brentford, including a 4-0 thrashing against the Bees.
Cristiano did start in the loss against Brentford but looked quite bereft of suitability to Ten Hag’s high press and proactive system. The player also lacked fitness, struggled to adapt to the manager’s system and failed to offer selflessness and creativity up top like Martial was able to in Ten Hag’s system.
As such, Ten Hag dropped Cristiano to the bench over the next few weeks with his waning performances, suitability, and desire to produce in the manager’s setup culpable for this.
United went on a rich run of form during this span and played an attractive attacking style. The club amassed five league victories on the bounce and ascended up the pecking order, with certain players and the manager lauded.
Cristiano erratically featured during this spell, though, only starting in Europa League matches and off the bench in some league encounters. The player could not perform to his normal standards in these contests, clearly struggling in front of the net.
In the club’s unorthodox 6-3 defeat to Man City at the Etihad, Ten Hag decided not to bring Cristiano off the bench, which caused controversy.
The manager told the press his decision to leave Cristiano on the bench was out of respect for his career, not wanting to be intrinsically linked to the club’s defeat.
"Excuses, I see as excuses. I saw many things that I don't want to criticise him. He can have different opinions to me. They choose the players that they think are better for the team. I respect that, but excuses all the time, you know; the excuses have short legs and you cannot excuse all the time, which is things that don't make sense,” said Cristiano, with the player clearly unimpressed at his manager’s decision.
United managed to bounce back over the next few matches, with several successive victories again.
In a midweek clash against Tottenham, the player was asked to come off the bench in the last few minutes of the encounter.
On this occasion, United were ambushing Tottenham, up 2-0, but Cristiano ignored his manager’s request. The player did not abide with his manager’s request to come on and walked out of the stadium before the conclusion of the game.
Cristiano defended these actions, outlying:
"Okay, you don't put me against Manchester City because of respect of my career and you want to put me three minutes against Tottenham. It doesn’t make sense.
"I think he did it on purpose because, for example, in a national team and the other clubs, if the coach wants to put me five minutes, if someone was injured or if they really needed me, I will help. But in that way I felt provoked not only because of that game, but before," said Cristiano
However, the player later shared:
"Piers, I will be honest with you, it's something that I regret, to leave the stadium. Probably, or maybe no, I don't know.
"It's difficult to tell you 100 percent but let's say I regret, but in the same way I felt provoked by the coach. It is not allowed for a coach to put me in three minutes in a game. Sorry, I'm not that kind of player. I know what I can give to the team."
As such, the club sanctioned Cristiano for his unsportsmanlike actions. The manager suspended the player for three days, leading to missing United’s match against Chelsea at the weekend.
"I think it was a strategy from the club for me to react that way. I was very, very, very, very disappointed with the communication of Manchester United. To be honest, I never had a problem with any club, with any coach.
"And they suspend me for three days, which I felt it was a lot, and the level of sport, clubs, I felt a lot. It was a shame," said Cristiano.
Before adding, "Don't tell me that the top players, the guys who want everything, the key players, will play three minutes. Come on, this is unacceptable after what they keep saying before, that they respect me, that they do this, they do that.
"For me it was not respect, this is why I take this decision I regret. I apologised to my teammates for the situation, I did a post on Instagram, saying I regretted leaving the stadium. My teammates know what I felt, and I apologised, but in the same way, I don't regret to take the decision to not come on.”
The player went on to describe his relationship with manager Erik Ten Hag.
"I really understand in the beginning because I didn't do the pre-season, I don't start to play. But going further than that, other things happen that people don't know, and I'm not hiding that the empathy with the coach is not good,” he said.
“I'm honest. He don't respect the way I should deserve. But it is what it is. This is why probably, the game against Tottenham, I left.
"The coach didn't have respect for me. So this is why the relationship, it's in that way. He keep saying in the press that he come to me, he like me blah, blah, blah, but that is only for the press, 100 percent. If you don’t have respect for me, I'm never going to have respect for you."
Going forward
What is next for Cristiano and his tenure at Man United?
After the full interview was released, Manchester United published a statement saying:
“Manchester United has initiated appropriate steps in response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent media interview. We will not be making further comment until this process reaches it's conclusion.”
Moments after the statement was officially published, a plethora of sources close to the club reported they are in the process of terminating Cristiano’s contract and also suing the player for breaching contractual terms.
With the player already expressing his desire to leave the club, and senior figures unhappy at the unfiltered nature of the interview, Cristiano Ronaldo has inevitably played his final match for the club.
After a successful initial stint at the club, becoming a fan favorite at Old Trafford, winning three Premier League titles, a Champions League title, and a host of honors such as the Ballon D’or, his second stint has unraveled in an unprecedented and unpalatable manner.
The Portuguese icon will depart United, with his potential destination yet to be decided.
Source:
https://youtu.be/Jk9uJRMvBIA
